BRASSELL PETITION TO GOVERNOR JAMES D. PORTER
FEBRUARY 1878
SOURCE: Governor's Papers
Governor James Davis Porter
1875-1879
Microfilm GP-24
Available at Tennessee State Library & Archives or Tennessee Tech Library
The following is transcribed as it appears on microfilm. Misspellings on the film are kept in this transcription. Some writing is difficult to read. A "best guess" is made in these circumstances.
To his Excellency James D. Porter
Gov & C
We the under sign are your petioners most Respectfully asking your excellency to commute The punishment assigned by the circurt Cost of Putnam County and afirmed By the Supreem court of Tennessee against Joseph & G. A. allis Teeke Brassell to Confindment in the Penetentory for Life imstid of Execution on the 27 of March 1878 all which your excelency will pleas answer your patroners.
Names
J. C. Boyed
A. Boyed
John D. Young
Wade Jones
T. J. ????
WANIOVNICE
John Medley
Sampson Culwell
J. B. Fisher
T. J. Collman
John L. Lows
John Stafford
Wade Jones
M. S. Maynerd
James K. P. Spears
R. A. Maxwell
J. H. Medly
J. S. Maner
James Herel
S. S. Shoemake
M. M. Gentry
James Dildine
Meri Bower
James Davis
S. Scarlet
A. J. Way
Simpson Marlow
Ervin Jantry
John Hightower
S. Marten
Wm Marten
L. E. Judd
<Page 2>
Hisom Marler
F. Marler
B. A. Marler
L. B. Judd
M. J Marler
John Lee
John ???
J. L. Goolsby
<Page 3>
J. Rauston
W. J. Shirrel
L. R. louse
T. W. Burgess
Dealr Sharp
James Cealy
John Aston
M. J. Magee
B. F. Patten
M. L. Presly
H. Z. Brassell
A. B. Brassell
<Page 4>
A Maddux - A friend of the Brasel boys
<Page 5>
To His Excelency James D. Porter Governor of the State of Tennessee
We the undersigned on ?? respectfully and urgently request your excelency to commate the punishment of George alias Teke Brassell and Joseph Brassell from hanging to imprisonment in the state penitentory for life. These ?? young men who at the ?? shows where mere ??? in the house of others Feb 12th 1878.
W. C. Cook
S. Lance
S. Hickey
B. Cook
J. Andrews
Fred Sircy
G. A. Hutson
N. F. Golden
T. C. Usery
Hal Usery
J. P. Clark
T. J. Fance
G. R. Cook
<Page 6>
C Hickey
N. Golden
James Hickey
Clarence Lowry
H. N. Jernigan
S. T. Usrey
R. A. Usrey
I Palard
John Lowery
Jake Polard
G. H. Green
????
W. D. Magel
L. D. Martin
J. R. Matlock
H. M. Lamb
F. R. West
R. Chism
A. L. Matlock
John D. Hickey
????
H. L. Baker
Jasper ???
William Perdue
J. O. Personshir
J. Zoostar
<Page 7>
To his excelency James D. Porter Governer, Etc
We the undersigned will respectfully and urgently request your excelency to commute the punishment of George alias Teke Braswell and Joseph Braswell from hanging to imprisonment for life in the state Penitentary. These sentence was respectfully approved by the Supreme Court form Midle Davisson of the sate of Tennesse on a charge of murdering Russel Allison Feb 12th 1878.
B. B. Galend
I. E. S. Tallent
Sandy Hickey
James R. Cook
J. T. Murphe
W. T. Mozers
P. F. Faris
V. T. Presley
S. C. Presly
W. b. Thompson
J. A. Whitefield
J. R. Dnvin
J. M. Jackson
G. T. Apple
R. H. Hudson
P. G. Cam
Josiah Bullington
W. P. Harp
M. H. Watson
J. M. Barnes
A. A. Martin
I. M. Braz
G. H. Cook
W. H. Long
I. P. Clark
Wm. Bohanon
Y. M. Boung
W. T. Musey
<Page 8>
Sandy Hickey
Elijah Garrett
T. D. Neal
C. M. Bulington
J. H. Smotherman
H. H. Beasley
C. R. D. Poston
Isaac Allen
L. T. Bohannon
Preston Robinson
J. C. Gabbert
E. W. Henry
J. S. Watson
John J. Mardon
J. C. Davis
Joseph Campbell
Watson Scarlet
Spencer Jernigan
James Wallace
Alexander Roberts
H. L. Hann
W. W. Baldwin
Philip Rhodes
M. N. Scarlett
James Lack
M. Scudder
A. M. Morten
W. E. Sypert
J. C. Colman
Z. T. Dowell
Samuel Yance
John Green
T. C. Duncan
Sirro Jud
C. N. Lee
E. S. Holley
Henery Knight
John Presley
P. W. Pressley
Joseph R. Jones
I. N. Butler
T. R. Roberson
Jas t. Roberson
R. S. Love
H. S. Gill
H. S. Carr
W. O. Davis
John Wells
Hill Hegewood
James Miller
J. M. Mitchell
This petition is just simply to reduce the punishment of death to that of the penitentury to wit in case of the Braswell boys, and save the life that we all love so dear. this is not to inure nor harm the opposing party but through mercy which we are taught in holy writ do unto others as you would them do unto you
A. L. Anderson
F. H. Anderson
V. W. Anderson
F. M. Anderson
J. H. Anderson
J. L. Burrass
<Page 2>
Henry Hany
Burl Hany
Silas Anderson
S. M. Johnson
Margrett Pippin
Merida Pippin
William Pippin
Sarah Pippin
Isaac Pippin
J. S. High
J. C. Dyers
<Page 3>
Adrener Pointer
<Page 4>
To his Excellency James D. Porter
Gov & C
We the undersign are your petitioners Most respectfully asking your excellency To commute the punishment assigned by the circuit cort of Putnam county and confirmed by the Supreme Court of Tennessee against Joseph & George A alias Teek Brassell to confinement in the penitentuary for life in stid of execution on the 27 of March 1878 all of which your Excellency will pleas answer your Petitioners
J. H. Reasonore
Wm. McClain
Anie Buton
James Eleson
James Tilly
Rob Sankford
Eveolin Cook
James Cook
Rick Cooper
Thomas Nixon
Daved Migget
Monroe Preston
O. M. Nalee
Seque Thomas
Alec Bolton col
Dummer Moss
W. H. Roberts
H. T. Husit
S. Lamberson
H. Clement
????
<Page 5 & 6>
Cookeville, Tenn
March 15st /78 (sic)
To his Excelency Jas D. Porter Gov
Nashville Tenn
Sir I write you a few lines requesting a favor if it can be granted lawfully I learn that there has been or will be a petition Present to your Honor by James Braswell from this County with seeral hundred names to said petition for the perpose of haning his Brothers Jo & Teak, who are no sentenced to be executed at this place on the 27 of this Inst changed to Imprisonment for lef,
and the reson why that I desire a list of those names is this we learn that they have a geat many names added to their list that was not authorized to be put there and they have requested me to try to secure a list from you if possible.
If your Honor please write me at once what you can do and I will pay all necessary expenses for the list of said names.
Yours Truley
W. J. Isbell Trustee of Putnam County
<Page 7>
Smithville Tenn March 14, 1878
Hon James D. Porter
Governor
Dear Sir:
A friend in Jackson County has sent me record today that he has seen a petition for commutation of the punishment of the Braswells, sentenced to be hanged in Putnam County on the 27 Inst. with my name signed to it. I have neither <u>signed nor authorized any other person to sign for me, </u> any such petition, <u>nor can I be induced to do so.</u>
I write to notify you that if any such petition should be prosecuted at the execution office with my name, it is a forgery.
If such should be presented please notify me of it.
Very respectfully
Geo. H. Morgan
Atty Genl 5 Circuit
<Page 8 & 9>
Cookeville Tenn
March 6th 1878
To His Excelency
James D. Porter Gov Etc
Permit me most urgently to commend to your favorable consideration the application of Joseph and George A. alias Teke Braswell for communtation of punishment from a judgement of the Supreme Court at Nashville at the December term 1878 (sic) of to be hanged on the 27 March 1868 (sic) for the murder of Russel Allison to imprisonment in the penitentiary for life.
These young men at the time of commission of the alledged murder were not twenty one years old were mere instruments in the hands of one Dobson Johnson who concocted the sheme and whole history is not wanting in any circumstances to complete his reformy. His is by his own confession a Rober a murderer for money a thief and has committed perjury.
He was enlisted by the state to give evidence against the accused his accomplices one orders sentences of death for that first offence while he is turned loos on society without the slightest punishment.
The execution of these young could not add to the dignity of respect ?ability? of the law with these ?honor? ?diry?. The other testimoney was ??? court without his to the connection we refers you to the record on file in the Supreme Court Clerk's Office.
We correctly ask your hone to spare the life of these young men time will perhaps develop fact in their favor opportunity for when motion will be afforded. They would be punished effectively by a life in prison.
I am yours
John P. Murray
E. L. Gardenhire
<Page 10>
To his excelency J. D. Porter
Gov & Co
We the undersign are your petitoners most respectfully asking your excellency to commute The punishment assign by the Circuit Court of Putnam County and confirmed by the Supreme Court of Tennessee against Joseph and George A. alias Teek Brassell to confinement in the penitenuary for life instid of execution on the 27 of March 1878 all of which your excellency will pleas answer your petitioners February 1878
Names
J. J. Evans
Robt. S. Hall
J. Dellooke
J. B. Mitchell
Gorg Teague
Tim Williams
Samuel Mires
1w. P. Boyed
M. F. Butler
W. Brown
P. A. Mirse
Tennie W. Cooper
Nancy J. Love
<Page 11>
W. H. Jons
R. Jons
Jon Crils
J billy ???
J. T. Mitchel
J. J. Lee
A. W. L. Lee
Iwbal Anderson
Robert Johnson
N. H. Moss
C. J. Cogin
Hester Trapp
Sophia A. Trapp
N. V.Trapp
W. C. Trapp
E. I. Lee
M. E. T. Lee
M. M. Lee
Carry Lee
Vinie Johnson
Lisy Johnson
?????
Almire Johnson
<Page 12>
To his excellency James D. Porter
Gov & C
We the undersign are your petitoners most respectfuly asking your excellency to commute the punishment assign by the Circut Court of Putnam County and confirmed By Supreme court of Tennessee against Joseph & G. A. alis Teek Brassell confinement in the Penitentiry for life insted of execution on 27 March 1878 all of which your Excelency will pleas answer your petitoners February 1878
Names
Amandy Page
Elizy Page
helen hays
kiry hasy
beckey hays
merrildy San
merrildy mercluer
mily mercluer
Mary mercluer
J. R. J. hays
Sary winfry
Callie Odom
H. Mia Scott
ln Jons
Irene Usder
tildy Nicon
Tennie Nicon
Melissa Crips
??? Mitchell
P. A. Pge
R. W. Pge
T. Sadchary
M. T. Sulilin
Mas Page
S. C. Stephens
J. Janlan
Yeams mercluer
S. B. keef
J. R. hays
R. h. hays
buck harms
henry winfry
dock winfrey
B. F. Odom
W. T. Scott
Sun Jons
Jospeh tisdel
<Page 13>
To the Excellency Jas D Porter
Gov & co
we the undersign are you most Petitioners to cumute the Punishment
(no other information on this page)
<Page 14>
To his excelency James D. Porter
Gov & Co
We the undersign are are (sic) your petitioner most respectfully ask your excelency to commute the punishment assigned by the Circuit cort of Putnam county and confirmed by the Supreme cort of Tennessee again Joseph & George A. allis Teek Brassell to comment in the Penitentary for life in stid of execution on the 27th of March 1878 all of which your excelency will please answer your Petioners
Polly Boulton
Martha Boulton
Luey Boulton
W. F. Benet
C. B. Benet
I. B. Moss
F. M. Duncan
John Hilmantaler
Monroe Hilmantaler
J. F. Scott
Carral Hilmantaler
William Harper
Thomas Whitley
A. W. V. Baker
W. U. McGea
T. F. Allen
Albert Bohanon
J. B. Wilkerson
T. S. Giles
E. T. gilles
D. W. Nicholas
J. W. Howard
William Whittaker
John Tandypool
Berry Balinger
Crarly Rittenberry
W. B. Printies
Martha Printies
T. W. Bease
William W. Baker
Josiah A. Baker
J. C. Baker
Mary Ann Baker
Betsy Thomas
Mourning Baker
Lucy Printies
Sallly Tully
George Baker
Mary Baker
Martha Beace
Betsey Magee
<Page 15>
This is not to Release Joseph and George Brassell It is to Commute the sentence From the Gallos to the Pernitenary For life
P. M. ????
J. W. Howard
William Whittaker
John Vandypooll
Berry Badinger
Charley Rittenberry
Lachia Talley
W. B. Printies
Lucy Printies
Martha Printies
Timothy Boare
William W. Baker
Josiah A. Baker
James C. Baker
Mary Ann Baker
Betsey Thomas
Marnin Baker
Lucy Sparkman
William Scarlett
R. P. Harres
Giles Bradford
John Raymer
E. H. Brassell
M. L. Brassell
Z. T. Brassell
L. Brassell
T. Patten
<Page 16>
This is not to Release Joseph and G. A, Brassell It is to Commute the sentence From the gallos to the Penitenary For life
Amis Gibbs
H. L. Baker
G. H. Smith
E. C. Randolph
g. d. king
f. m. Randolph
B. F. Yares
D. C. Martin
H. Mehler
C. W. Coleman
M. E. McClose
Eva Coleman
S. Whitice
Mary Patrick
Y. T. Coleman
Samuel Patton
William Patton
Mallnda Patton
Jincy Patton
W. B. Roland
Jane Roland
A
M. L. Yates
W. C. Bradford
F. P. Elmore
Kansas Elmore
g. d. Bradford
W. D. Pollard
W. C. Pippin
A. Donell
N. B. Balkmand
W. R. Goochman
m. C. thompson
LaFayette Anderson
M. T. Martin
J. M. Passons
Noah Martin
R. Ro???
?? Rainer
G. Young
<Page 17 & 18>
"Record of Doom" -
The Daily American- 17 March 1878
<Page 19 & 20>
"Dining with the Brassell" -
The Daily American- 17 March 1878
<Page 21>
Smithville March 15 1878
To His Excellency
Jas. D. Porter
Governor, Dear Sir:
Having respecfully heard that my name is on a petition asking yout to commute the sentence of the Braswells to imprisonment for life, I take occasion to say that I have signed no such petition nor have I authorized any one to do so for me. Neither has Atty Genl Morgan signed any such petition.
Respectfully,
N. W. McConnell